[Splenorrhaphy and partial splenectomy as an alternative to splenectomy in trauma--overview]

For many year splenectomy was considered to be the only possible surgical treatment for all laceration of the spleen, whether resulting from abdominal contusion or not. Such factors have led to changes in practical attitudes to splenic lacerations but it would seem that indications for a conservative approach must be based upon the underlaying condition and the precise nature of the lesions. Splenectomy should be done promptly in cases of concomitant splenic and cerebral injury and in patients with injury of multiple organ systems. Present knowledge of the complications of anesplenia has led to new surgical techniques for conservation of splenic tissue. Splenorrhaphy was a frequently used treatment in the non-complicated traumatic lesions. The decision of whether or not to remove an injured spleen is one which must be made intraoperatively by the surgeon. Operative splenic repair and preservation of the spleen often requires considerable experience. We conclude that surgical splenic preservation is a viable and safe procedure, especially in infants and young children.